| Knitting Pattern: Handmade Sweaters From The Heart |
About Knit for Kids
What began as a Guideposts editor's heartfelt reminiscence about her childhood has grown into a global movement that has donated more than 200,000 sweaters to needy children all over the world. It all began when Brigette Weeks, then editor-in-chief of Guideposts Books, saw a picture in the New York Times of a young boy in a refugee camp wearing a handknit sweater given to him by the British charity, OXFAM. Recalling sweaters she had knit for OXFAM as a girl, she felt such a connection that she felt compelled to write about her experience.
It was March of 1996 when the story she wrote about knitting sweaters for refugee children appeared in our annual Daily Guideposts. It prompted a slew of letters from readers wanting to know how they could help. Hundreds requested patterns-and those who couldn't knit donated yam or sent contributions to help fund the project. Before long, sweaters started pouring in, boxes stacking up in our Manhattan editorial headquarters.
Years later, we are still receiving a steady stream of sweaters-nearly 4,000 per month! Each is handknit or crocheted by a volunteer who generously donates her time, skill, and the cost of materials and postage. While most are sent by sweater-makers in the U.S. and Canada, some come from as far away as Australia and New Guinea.
Once they arrive at Guideposts, the sweaters are counted and packed into boxes and sent to children's relief agencies-wherever the need is greatest. Guideposts Knit for Kids sweaters have gone to Mongolia, Haiti, Ecuador and Africa; to Romania, Turkey, Kosovo and Uzbekistan; to Native American reservations; to babies with AIDS; and to homeless children, who lack even the clothes necessary to attend school. These gifts of the heart are more than just a source of warmth. The patient work of friends like you carry a message of God's love and caring to His littlest ones.
Join the Knit for Kids Circle of Friends
Finished sweaters can be placed on the table in the information hallway. The sweaters will be blessed during the worship services one weekend in November. Women of Hope will then ship the sweaters to Guideposts in New York for distribution to children in need around the world.
Knitting Instructions
| Sizes: | Child's sizes 2 (4, 6, 8, 10) |
| Yarn: | 4-medium worsted-weight wool or acrylic |
| Amount: | 10 (12, 13, 14, 16) |
| Total Yardage: | 525 (580, 700, 715, 935) yards |
| Gauge: | 20 stitches / 26 rows = 4 inches. Do not heasitate to change needle size to obtain correct gauge. |
| Needle Size: | US Size 7 (4.5 mm) for body & US Size 5 (3.75 mm) for bottom border |
Back and Front (make 2):
There is no difference between the front and the back. Both sections are knit exactly alike.
Body:
With size 5 needles, cast on 61 (65,69,73,77) stitches.
Row I : (wrong side) Purl 1, Knit 1 across row ending with Purl I.
Row 2: (right side) Knit 1, Purl 1 across row ending with Knit 1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for a total of 8 (10, 10, 10, 10) rows.
Beginning with a purl row, change to size 7 needles and work in stockinette stitch (Purl 1
row, Knit 1 row) until the piece measures 9 ½" (10 1/2 ", 11 1/2 ",12 1/2 ",13 1/2 ") from
cast-on edge. End by working a purl row.
Sleeves and Yoke:
This portion of the sweater is worked in garter stitch (knit every row). Also, the sleeves
will have a nicer finished edge if you slip the first stitch (as if to knit) every row on
the sleeves.
Row 1: Add on 32 (34, 36, 38, 40) stitches loosely for the first sleeve and knit across
(remember to slip the first stitch of every row) 93 (99, 105, 111, 117) stitches.
Row 2: Add on 32 (34, 36, 38, 40) stitches loosely for the second sleeve and knit across
being sure to slip the first stitch. You should now have a total of 125 (133, 141, 149,
157) stitches.
Row 3: Slip 1 as if to knit, knit across.
Repeat Row 3, until sleeve measures 5 ½ " (6",6 ½ ",7",7 ½" ). End by working a wrong
side row. Bind off all stitches loosely in knit.
Finishing:
Sew shoulder seams leaving a 7" (7", 7/1/2 " 71/2", 8 ½ ") neck opening. Sew sleeve and sides together in one continuous seam. The diagram shows the sweater's finished flat sizes
Finishing Tips:
Finishing a sweater is many knitter's least favorite part of the job, but it doesn't have to be. If you follow these techniques, the process is relatively painless, and produces a seam that is virtually invisible. Here's how:
- Unlike regular sewing, sweaters are always sewn with the right sides facing out.
- Don't use the same yarn you've used to knit the sweater with to sew it together. Using a different color yarn allows you to better see what you are doing. (And, heaven forbid, should you need to start over, it enables you to rip out what you've done without damaging the sweater itself.)
- Try using a light-weight yarn in a similar color. Once the garment is sewn together the yarn used for sewing completely disappears. Do not use sewing thread.
- Cut a piece of yarn approximately twice the length of the seam. Attach the yarn by inserting the needle through a single stitch, then with the right sides facing you, sew the pieces together by picking up one stitch under the needle on either side. (See the illustration below) It's easier if you keep the yarn relatively loose. The seams should hae almost as much stretch as the sweater itself. when you have completed sewing the seam, turn sweater inside out and weave all yourends in the seam allowance for about 2" and ending by making a few back stitches to secure the end before cutting off the yarn.
Variations:
Once you've tried the basic pattern you may want to experiment with variations. Experienced Knit for Kids knitters have dressed up these simple sweaters by adding crocheted edges, or ribbed hems, collars and cuffs. Stripes, color-blocks and novelty yarns are also popular. Some folks have really outdone themselves-adding little ribbons to the yoke, sewing on pockets, or knitting colorful figures like ducks or stars into the fabric. So feel free to be creative and have fun with it! Your sweater will be a one-of-a-kind creation that will be worn and loved by a very special child.